With the country expecting around 40 million tourists annually by the time the Games come around, Japan has been working on addressing infrastructure and planning concerns early, including how much of its accommodations and facilities are wheelchair-friendly.

A government survey determined that only 0.4 percent of approximately 100,000 rooms in 600 hotels were barrier-free. With over 99 percent not being accommodated to travelers with disabilities, the government announced this week that new hotels with more than 50 rooms will be required to provide wheelchair-friendly accommodation as of September 1st, 2019. This means that at least one percent of new or refurbished accommodation must be barrier-free for those using a wheelchair, including an entrance wider than 30 inches (80 centimeters), a bathroom with handrails, and no steps dividing rooms.

In the lead up to the games, the city has also begun overhauling its infrastructure to ensure the stadiums are ready for the 2020 Olympic Games and to make it as easy as possible for all visitors, including installing elevators and ramps across Tokyo’s subway stations. Officials say that around 90 percent of stations are now accessible for wheelchairs.

It follows a law implemented in May 2018, aimed at improving living conditions and addressing accessibility concerns for those with disabilities.